Walking through downtown Mokena is a bit like strolling through yesteryear, with an 1880s grain store converted into a popular breakfast and lunch diner and a row of quaint stores, bars and banks, all across the street from the train depot, or Metra station.

Just off the village's downtown strip are a variety of single-family homes, some more than 100 years old, and Pioneer Cemetery with graves dating back to the Civil War and Revolutionary War. Also nearby is McGovney-Yunker Farmstead, which was owned by several of the village's first residents in the late-1800s.

Residents say the village's small-town ambience rooted in history extends to the residents, schools and government in this southwest suburb, which also offers a wealth of recreation and retail.

"The people here are very homey and friendly and I like that it's not so commercialized as other towns," said Corolynne Bartolini, as she wrapped up a day's work as a sales assistant at An English Garden, a family-owned and operated flower and gift shop downtown. Bartolini moved to Mokena with her two sons from Midlothian about 3 1/2 years ago because of the quality schools and the affordable ranch home they found on several acres. Dominic Bartolini, 10, attends Mokena Intermediate School, where his reading has vastly improved, and Rocko, 5, goes to Mokena Elementary School, both of District 159.

The village is also served by Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 and several private schools.

Kim McAuliffe, owner of An English Garden, said she chose Mokena over other towns because of the warm people, welcoming village officials and historical look of the downtown.

The trove of recreational opportunities offered through the park district and entertainment provided by the village are other draws to this community of about 18,000 residents. There are tennis, basketball, and sand volleyball courts, a roller hockey rink, skate park and picnic groves, as well as the Will County Forest Preserve. Park district facilities include the Oaks Recreation and Fitness Center, with an open gym and health and wellness classes, the Oaks Disc Golf Course, and McGovney-Yunker Farmstead, where Mokena Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Farm and Barn Fest.

Though the village has no movie theaters and limited entertainment venues, there's bowling at Thunder Bowl and a number of seasonal events, including the popular 4th of July parade and Mokena Festival in October with a fine arts and classic car show downtown and a food and wine festival at McGovney-Yunker Farmstead.

J-4 Development Co. is planning an indoor water park, outdoor sports fields and two hotels at 191st Street east of LaGrange Road. They are still securing funding, but hope to start on the development this fall or in the spring of 2010, according to Mayor Joe Werner.

Silvia Gonzalez was glad to find all the recreation for her son, Benjamin, 5, and daughter, Victoria, 3, including Hickory Creek Park, which has playground equipment for youngsters, bike paths for walking and swimming at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort. Gonzalez also praised the area schools.

"There are so many beautiful parks. I think there's something for everybody's age," said Gonzalez. A stay-at-home mom who periodically teaches infant exercise classes for the Mokena and Frankfort park districts, Gonzalez said she and her husband, Martin, originally chose Mokena in 2001 because of its accessible location and the affordable tri-level brick home they found close to Interstate Highway 80 .

"It's affordable, it's pretty. The community is friendly," said Gonzalez. "They're really striving to develop the historic area of Mokena, to attract new businesses and liven it up and bring more people."

The village recently approved a downtown TIF (tax increment financing) district to attract businesses because some have closed during the economic downturn. In 1999-2000, the village replaced all the infrastructure on Front Street, including sewer and water lines and curbs. They added landscaping and offered a façade improvement program to encourage businesses to renovate the outside of their buildings.

"We like the idea of the historic character of the buildings that are downtown and would like to keep that," said Mayor Werner. "We have guidelines in place so buildings that come in would have the same look and feel, so it continues to have that small-town, historic atmosphere as when the village was incorporated in 1880."

Beyond its quaint downtown, Mokena has a number of other retail spots, including Mokena Marketplace, where a JC Penney store opened about a year ago and a Petsmart is expected to open in several months. A Meijer's store is also planned for the site, though construction has yet to start.

"For the residents this was one of the most exciting, long-awaited events, so they didn't have to drive to Orland for shopping," said Sharon Filkins Jenrich, president of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, about the arrival of JC Penney.

"Our population has grown quite rapidly over the last 10 to 15 years, so I think retailers are starting to recognize this as a good market to come to," said director of community development Alan Zordan.

Generally considered safe, Mokena does have some property crimes and DUI arrests. Police commander Dan Rankovich said the department monitors safety with neighborhood watch programs, a vacation watch program and DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). A police department school resource officer also works with School District 159, intervening on non-criminal issues and teaching safety to kids.

The village's wide range of housing is a perk and has held up well in the economic downturn, according to Joseph Siwinski, a real estate broker, trustee and lifelong resident. Older, smaller ranches and Cape Cods are the dominant housing near downtown while newer custom-built mansions on large wooded lots exist farther out.

Siwiniski said homes this year had sold from under $100,000 to about $1.2 million, with values off by about 4.5 percent.

"It's got great housing stock, beautiful homes and beautiful landscaping," said Siwinski. "Mokena is an awesome place to live."